Page 77 of Of Venom & Vengeance

“The fuck? Lead with that shit! Where’s Eve?!”

“She’s home. Adam and the goons were all there. Sounds like they killed all but one of them, and he’s wishing he were dead. They’re going to get whatever information they can out of him.”

“Fuck, man. This is big.”

“Yeah. Bigger than you can imagine.”

“We’ll get her back. Don’t worry. You know she’s giving them hell anyway.”

“Yeah. That’s my main concern right now. That damn mouth could get her into more trouble.”

“She’s smart. She knows what to do. She has good instincts, and she’s learned to trust them. You’ve got us. We’ll get her back.”

“Yeah. See you stateside.”

The airport is visible now through the windshield. I send up a silent thank you that it only took nine minutes to get here. I wasn’t paying attention on the drive, but I know Winston broke several traffic laws to get us here this fast. I grab the wad of cash in my pocket and thrust it all at Winston before he parks us at the curb.

Quickly, I vault from the car, but Winston grabs the front of my shirt, holding me in place.

“I heard you talking.”

His eyes are full of unshed tears when he speaks again.

“Sixteen years ago, men took my sister. We never saw her again. Our mother will never know what happened to her only daughter. She was a child.”

“Winston, I’m sorry. I-”

“No. I don’t need your pity. I don’t want your money.”

He shoves the money into my chest.

“I want to help. I need to.”

I nod before I’ve fully thought it through, but I really could use his help.

“Go back to the bungalow. Get all our things. Take them to your house. We’ll send for them later. Then, get all the information you can about anyone new being seen in town. Likely Latvian, but it could be anyone. Any descriptions or video surveillance can help. Find out where a private plane would land and gather whatever you can on those flights. Who chartered them? Where did they come from? Who was on them? Did anyone see my wife? You got it?”

“Yes. Got it.”

I grab him by the nape of the neck and pull him in.

“What was her name?”

“Abeni. She was only seventeen years.”

My nod does nothing but acknowledge his loss.

“For Abeni then.”

The tears fall now, and he nods back vigorously.

“I will call you with information. I will find it.”

“Never had a doubt.”

We part ways, but just before he sinks back down into his car, I remember something.

“Winston!”